Much at stake for Thai women against India

Hosts South Korea have been guaranteed a berth in the quarter-finals, leaving Thailand and India, tied on three points after two matches, scrapping to qualify directly from the group that also include Maldives.

Second-placed India are slightly in a better position as they lead the Thais on goal difference, meaning a draw would be sufficient to send them into the last eight. 

In that scenario, the Thais would face an anxious wait to discover whether they would scrape through as the best third-placed team. 

Even if they do sneak through, Thais are likely to encounter the Group B winners, who are expected to be either world champions Japan or China in the next round. On the contrary, they would face a relatively easier task against either Vietnam or Hong Kong should they beat Indians and leapfrog them into the second spot.

Therefore, a second place means not only direct passage but also an easier route to the semi-finals. Thai coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian has set the target of reaching the semi-finals and becoming on of the seeded teams in the draw for the next Games.

If previous results between the two sides were anything to go by, the Thai side, who earlier this year clinched a historic berth in the women’s World Cup finals in Canada next year, should have little trouble in today’s meeting at Namdong Asiad Rugby Field in Incheon.

The Thais have won all five encounters they have played against India, with the most recent being the 3-2 success in the Asian Cup qualifier in 2006. If they manage to extend their winning streak against the Indians, they would earn Bt200,000 from the Football Association of Thailand.

Aside from defender Duangnapa Sritala, who is a slight doubt for the India fixture, former national player Nuengrutai has no other injury concerns and could field the same side that routed Maldives 10-0 in their last outing.

“Duangnapa is back in training after recovering from an injury but we have to make a late check on her fitness. Other players are in optimum condition. Against India, we’ll play the same 4-4-2 formation. We will go for the jugular from the first minute,” said Nuengrutai.

Channel 9 will televise the match live from 3pm.